Hat packing stay and combination package



Nov. 15, 1938. J. G. HUYE HAT PACKING STAY AND COMBINATION PACKAGEF11/ed Aug. 24', 195e 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Smc/wm Joseph 6?. f1

Nov. 15, 193s. J, Q HUYE A 2,136,744l

HAT PACKING STAY AND COMBINATION PACKAGE Filed Aug. 24, 1936 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 15, 1938 UNITED STATES Bgel HAT PACKINGSTAY ANDK COMBINATION PACKAGE Joseph G. Huye, New Orleans, La;Application August 24, 1936, Serial No. 97,703

8 Claims.

This` invention relates to hat packing stays and is primarily intendedfor use by the hat manufacturer in packing and shipping his product.

In the felt hat manufacturing business it is of great importance fromthe commercial viewpoint that felthats shall be so packed that asshipped they will not be subjected to the pressure of any sustainingpacking ring, or impressed or indented or marked by any packing ring.Also, it is of importance that they shall `not be dented or mussed up inany manner, but shall be received substantially in perfect ironedcondition, the same as the conditionin which they were `at the time ofcompletion at the factory.

Also, it is of importance to reduce as far as possible` the number ofpacking boxes required, the weight `of material used in making suchboxes, and in general the expense incident to such packmg. i

The present invention has been developed with the foregoingconsiderations in mind and has for its object to provide a combinationof elements whereby a plurality of felt hats may be packed in superposedor nested relation in such manner that no hat in the package will besubjected to the weight of .any other hat or to any pressure of anypart; to provide means for centering and anchoring the lower hat againstendwise or sidewise movement; to provide separateindividualy means `forcentering or preventing endwise or sidewise movement of each of thesuperposed hats; to provide means` for preventing the movement of anyhat in a direction endwise of the stack of hats in case the box orcontainer should be inverted incident to handling in shipping, suchmeans being so related to said individual centering means and therespective brims of the respective hatsV as not to be in contact withthe brims of, the respective hats when the shipping containeris innormal position; to provide said anchoringmeans in each of saidcentering means it in aheavy board or corrugated board shipping box suchas is now the common practice.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1V represents-a vertical sectional view on the line i-I 4ofFigure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows, through a box in whicha plurality of hats are packed bythe aid of the combination `of elementsembodying `my invention; i Figure 2, a Sectional view on the line 2 2 ofFigurefl, looking in the `direction of the arrow;

Figure 3', a sectional view on 'the `line 3-3 of Figure 2looking in thedirection of the arrows;

Figure 4, aperspective View from the underneath of o ne of the centeringelements;

Figure 5, a sectional view on the line 5 5 of Figure l, looking in thedirection of the arrows;

Figure 6,.a top perspectiveview of the anchoring element; i l

Figure 7, a plan view of the top spacing element |20, in flat condition;

Figure 8,4 atop plan view of the anchoring element .I, in flatcondition;

Figure 9fa view similar to Figure 5, of a modied form; and

Figure 10, a fragmentary detailed perspective body A of the box to restagainst the upper base of the bottom C thereof, f

Said anchoring element I is formed as a flat sheet and hasan octagonal,vertical supporting rim or flange 2 integral therewith, said flange`being made up of sections or portions scored for fold lines at 2a, cutor severed from the body of anchor element I on lines 2b from therespective score lines 12a tozthe adjacent corners, to form Vfree endportions, said sections being folded into vertical position` alongscored lines 2c extending between the transverse score lines 2a. Whenfolded intoY this position the free end portions are folded alongscorelines 2a intolapping relation and each such pair 'of lapping ends aresecured together in any known suitable and usual manner as-by a wirestaple 2d) `Said supporting rim may be about the height of thesweatband, or approximately 2" in height, but in any event should be ofsuch height as to support the immediately next above centering andsupporting element I2 or I20 at such point that the interior ofthe hatsupported by the latter will not engage or press against the crown ofthe next lower` hat.

The flat area of the anchor element I is formed with two pair of endcentering wings or fingers 3 and two side centering wings or ngers 4,said wings or fingers 3 and 4 being integral with anchor member I. Thewings 3 are formed in pair by being severed along the lines 5 and 'I andthe line 9 common to the two wings, three of each pair, and when erectedin the operative position are folded along the score lines so as topresent their operative end edges 5 toward, and to engage, the sweatbandd adjacent, and equal distance from, the respective ends of the lowerhat D. The side centering wings or fingers 4 are formed by being severedalong the lines 6 and 8 and in operative position are folded intovertical position along the score lines I0, wherein their laterallyouter operative edges 6 will engage the respective side portions of thesweatband d.

Prior to actual use in connection with the packing and shipping of hatsthe anchoring element I will be stored, shipped, and kept in collapsedor flat condition, wherein it is simply a flat sheet of paper board orcardboard capable of being kept in large` quantities in a very smallspace immediately available at hand for instant use, and as used it willv have its flange 2 erected and stapled together and its end centeringwings 3 and its side centering wings 4 erected in the vertical positionbefore being inserted into body A of the box to rest against and besupported by the bottom C thereof.

The centering and supporting elements I2, five in number in thepreferred style of package, and the spacing centering element |20 areeach formed with an elliptical or oval centercentering opening I4corresponding in general outline, except for the two end notches, to thecross-sectional form of the crown of the hat D received thereby andbeing of such size as to be spaced at all points at a slight distancefrom the outer face of the hat crown, say by an interval ofapproximately not in excess of nl: of an inch at all points from saidhat crown. The purpose in providing this space or clearance between thewall yof opening I4 and theopposed face of said hat crown is to avoidcontact by said wall with said crown when the package is in normalupright position, and yet to provide a support for the hat crown, andthe hat as a whole, in case the package should be tilted or laid uponits side, the very small interval between said hat crown and wallavoiding the attaining by said hat of any such momentum as might becalculated to dent or mar said hat crown, it being noted in thisconnection that each hat is supported and centered by its respectivesupporting and centering means for element I2 and its spacing andcentering means |20, and that the weight of no hat in transmitted to anyother hat.

Each centering and supporting element I2 is formed with two stops orspacing ears I3 respectively integral with said element and folded intovertical position along scored fold lines I 3'. Said stops or spacingears I3 respectively are attached to and depend from the respectiveportions of their respective members adjacent the respective ends ofsaid centering opening I4. Each said stop or spacing ear I3 isV of alength slightly less, by say a quarter of an inch, than the height ofthe supporting rim or. iiange 2 of the immediately next lower anchoringelement I or centering element I 2, as the case may be. The purpose ofthis lower end edges of the respective stops or spacing ears I3 fromresting upon or even lightly contacting the brims d of the respectivenext lower hats, when the package is in normal position. By having onlya very slight diierence between the vertical length of the stop orspacing ears I3 and the langing or supporting rims 2, the lower endedges of the respective stops or spacing ears I3, while maintained outof contact with the brims d of the respective hats when the package isin normal position, are spaced at such a slight interval from said brimsd respectively that should the package be inverted in shipping orhandling no hat would have any appreciable vertical movement toward saidstops or spacing ears I3 and could not attain any such momentum in suchmovement as would in any way indent, or mar, or muss any of said hats.

Preferably each said member I2 and the spacing centering m-ember |20 isformed with two iinger holds I5, respectively, adjacent the respectivestops or spacing ears I3 to the end that the packer may stick hisforengers, respectively, through the respective holds I5 and hold therespective stops or spacing gears I3 back out of the way so as not tomuss up the next lower hat as the hats and elements are inserted in thebody A of the box during the packing operation and also to provide aconvenient finger grip for removing the spacing and centering andsupporting elements |20 and I2, respectively, from the box withoutmussing up any of the hats as the same are unpacked by the hat dealer.

Each centering and supporting member or element I2 is provided with asupporting rim or 0 flange 2, preferably octagonal in outline,constructed, erected, and in all other respects the same as the rim 2heretofore described in detail in connection with the anchor element I.

'I'he spacing and centering element |20, which is the topmost element inthe box, is provided with a supporting octogonal flange or rim 20constructed and erected in the same manner as described with relation tothe rim 2 of the anchoring element I, except that said rim 20 isapproximately double the height of the rim 2, in any event being of suchheight as to extend upward appreciably beyond the highest point of thecrown of the top hat D, and preferably to substantiate the upper edge ofthe body A of the box, so as to protect the crown of the upper hat Dagainst being dented, mashed or otherwise mussed.

To use the anchoring element I is erected as above described, a hat isapplied to the anchoring means 3 and 4 and thereafter the anchoringelement I is inserted in the body A of the box to rest upon the top ofbottom C thereof. Thereafter the centering and supporting elements I2erected as above described and the hats D are inserted in the body A inalternation, the corners of the centering and supporting elements I2extending across and resting upon the upper edges of the lap ends of therim 2 of the anchoring element I and the immediately next below rim 2 ofthe respective centering and supporting elements I2, until six hats Dshall have been packed into the box, after which the spaces andcentering top element |20 is inserted in the body A and thereafter thetop B is applied to the box and secured thereto by a string or any othersuitable securement means, and the package is ready for shipment.

Of course as erected each of the centering and supporting means orelements I2, the anchoring difference Vin length is to prevent theextreme means I, and the spacing and centering element `therein byinsertion in an endwise direction of said body, there being justsuiiicient play between the edge faces of the respective elements I, I2and l2@ to permit such insertion and not suilcient .play to permit any`appreciable movement of the respective elements transversely of thebody A.

In the modification illustrated in Figure 9 the construction, operation,combination, and mode of use are in all respectsthe same as describedwith relation to the preferred form shown in the first eight figures,except that a round corner box is used instead of a square box, andconsequently the corners of the spacing element l20 and of the centeringsupporting element and the anchoring element, are similarly rounded soas to conform in shape thereto.

In the modification shown in Figure 10 of the supporting ange or rim 2',the construction and operation of said rim or flange are in all respectsthe same as described with relation to flange or rim 2 of the preferredform, except that instead of the securing staple 2d, the lapped free endportions are cut from opposite edges for slightly in excess of one-halfof their vertical height and are interlocked as indicated at 2e. Thecentering and supporting element of this modification is designated l2..

I claim:

1. A storing and shipping package comprising a box comprising a tubularbody, a bottom closing the lower end of said body, and a top closing`the upperend of said body, in combination with a plurality of hatcentering and spacing means disposed in said body in stack relation anda plurality of hats disposed in said body in superposed looselynested'relation, said centering and spacing means and said hats beingarranged in alternation in stack form vertically of said'body, each ofsaid centering and spacing means having a body of sheet form withportions closely adjacent the inner face of said box body at both endsand at both sides of each said centering and spacing means and having avertically extending supporting rim, the lowest of said centering andspacing means resting on the upper face of said box bottom and havinganchoring centering means extending upward into the crown of the lowesthat and engaging the inner face of said crown adjacent both ends and onopposite sides thereof and receiving and supporting the brim of saidlowest hat on the upper face of its body between said anchoringcentering means and said rim, the remaining spacing and centering meanseach having a similar bracing and supporting rim and being formed with acentering supporting opening, a pair of stops disposed in a verticaldirection, and finger holes adjacent said stops, each said spacing andcentering means resting on the supporting rim of the spacing andcentering means immediately next below, each said centering andsupporting opening being of such size and shape as to receive the crownof the hat immediately below and so that the wall of said opening willbe very closely adjacent to said crown but `slightly spaced therefromsubstantially at all points in the normal upright position of thepackage, said stops depending closely adjacent to the brim of the hatimmediately next loeneath their respective centering and spacing meanswithout touching said brim when the package is in normaluprightposition, said ringer holes permitting the packer to hold saidstops back during the packing operation and to remove the spacing meansin unpacking without damaging the hats, and the rim of the extreme upperspacing and centering means being higher than the rims of any of theother said means to extend above the top of the crown of the top hat toprotect the latter and substantially to the top' or" the box body tosupplement the latter in supporting any load that may be placed on thetop of the package, each body of each said spacing and centering means,excepting the extreme top said means, supporting by its upper face theindividual weight of the hat resting thereon.

2. A storing and shipping package comprising a box comprising a tubularbody, a bottom closing the lower end of said body, and a top closing theupper end of said body, in combination with a bottom anchoring means, atop spacing means, a plurality of intermediate hat centering and spacingmeans disposed in said body in stack relation and a plurality of hatsdisposed in said body in superposed loosely nested relation, saidanchoring means, top spacing means and said intermediate means and saidhats being arranged in alternation in stack form vertically in saidbody, each said intermediate means having a sheet form body withportions closely adjacent the inner face ci said box body at both sidesand ends of each said means and having a vertically extending supportingrim, said anchoring means resting on the upper face of said box bottomand having anchoring means engaging the interior of the crown of thelowest hat to anchor the same and receiving and supporting the brim ofthe lowest hat and being provided with a supporting rim, each saidintermediate means being formed with a centering and supporting opening,a pair of stops disposed in a vertical direction, and nger holesadjacent said stops, and each said intermediate means resting on thesupporting rim of the spacing and centering intermediatev means nextbelow and supporting by its upper face the weight'of an individual hat,and said top spacing means resting onthe rim of the upper intermediatemeans and having a rim extending above the crown of the upper hat.

3. A storing and shipping package comprising a box comprising a tubularbody, a bottom closing the lower end of said body, and a top closing theupper end of said body, in combination with a plurality of hats, abottom anchoring means formed with means engaging in the interior of thecrown of the lowest hat to center and anchor the same and provided witha supporting rim, a top spacing means, and a plurality of intermediatehat centering, spacing and supporting means, said anchoring means,intermediate means and top spacing means and the said hats beingarranged in alternation in stack form vertically of said box body, eachof said intermediate means having a sheet form body of such size andshape as to make a snug sliding fit in said box body and havingavertically extending supporting rim and being formed with a centeringsupporting opening and a pair of stops disposed in a vertical directionclosely adjacent to but normally out of contact with the upper face ofthe brim of the hat immediately below their corresponding intermediatemeans body, each said intermediate means and said top spacing meansresting on the supporting rim of the means immediately next below andsaid anchoring means resting on the upper face of the box bottom, andeach said intermediate individual hat.

4. Packing means to be used in a shipping box to pack hats for shipmentand storage, said means comprising the combination of a bottom anchoringmeans, a topy spacing means, and a plurality of intermediate spacingcentering supporting means, all said means being arranged in superposedstacked relation and being of such size and outline in operativecondition as to substantially conform in size and outline to thecrosssection of the interior of the shipping box, each said means ininitial collapsed condition being of thin iiat sheet form and having anintegral portion erectible into vertical position to constitute avertical spacing and supporting rim at all points outwardly beyond thebrim of a hat resting on the upper face of any of said means, said topspacing means and each said intermediate means being formed with acentral opening of such size and shape as to receive the crown of a hatwith the Walls of said opening closely adjacent thereto but normallyspaced slightly therefrom, said top spacing means and each saidintermediate means being formed with integral stop means in operativeposition depending vertically, said anchoring means and each saidintermediate means individually supporting an individual hat andreceiving the brim thereof at all points inward of the supporting rim ofsaid means, said top spacing means and each said intermediate meansresting on and being supported by the supporting rim of the meansimmediately next below, and said stop means of said top spacing meansand of each of said intermediate means Very closely approaching the brimof the hat supporte-d by the means immediately next below but being outof contact therewith in the normal upright position of the shippingpackage.

5. A plurality of hat spacing, centering and supporting elements to beused in association, each said element comprising a body of resilientsheet form paper board material, a supporting rim portion initiallydisposed in the same plane as said body and integral therewith anderectible into a position perpendicular to the face of said body toconstitute ,a continuous spacing and supporting rim, and a pair of stopsintegral with said body and depressible to constitute verticallyextending stop ears, each said body being formed with a central openingto receive the crown of a hat and in operative association with theremainder of said plurality of elements being supported on the spacingand supporting rim of the element immediately next below and the stops'of each said element being of less length than the vertical height ofthe spacing and supporting rim of the element immediately next beloweach said stop being located between said opening and said spacing andsupporting rim.

6. A hat packing stay comprising a slightly resilient sheet form paperboard body formed with a large central oval aperture to receive a hatcrown and having an upper surface at all points about said aperture ofsufficient breadth to receive and support a hat brim, in combinationwith an integral initially iiat marginal portion erectible into avertically extending continuous spacing and supporting rim, and aplurality of integral stops initially flat and depressible intovertically extending depending position, each said stop being ofslightly less length than the width or height of said rim and beinglocated between said aperture and said spacing and supporting rim.

7. A hat packing stay comprising a sheet form body formed with an ovalaperture and having an upper surface at all points about said apertureto support a hat brim, in combination with a collapsible supporting rimconnected with said body and two oppositely disposed depending stopsconnected with said body, each of said stops being located between saidopening and rim and of slightly less length than the height of said rim.

8. A hat packing stay comprising a sheet form body formed with anaperture to receive a hat crown and having an upper surface at allpoints about said aperture to support a hat brim, in combination with asupporting rim connected with said body and two stops connected withportions of said stay and so located, formed and adapted as to dependtherefrom closely adjacent to and directly above and slightly spacedfrom the brim of the rst mentioned hat as to limit movement of said rstmentioned hat axially of the opening in said stay.

JOSEPH G. HUYE.

